• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.287-297
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• 2006

Concentration of hormones and blood components at the last fatting stage was changed before slaughter in Hanwoo steers and bulls. Two months before slaughter and shipment, concentration of cortisol and creatinine was increased, but that of calcium was decreased. Concentration of insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was decreased after shipment, and inorganic phosphorus (IP) was decreased at slaughter. It is unclear that changes of concentration in between 2 months before slaughter and shipment were either caused by aging or stresses (abstinence, environmental change, blood drawing, and shipment). Changes of blood concentration between shipment and slaughter may be accounted for overall responses from abstinence, shipment, and unfamiliar environment. A positive correlation between 2 months before slaughter and before shipment was detected for IGF-1, total protein (TP), albumin, creatinine, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and globulin in steers, and creatinine and globulin in bulls. A positive correlation between 2 month before slaughter and slaughter was detected for IGF-1, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), IP and HDLC in steers, and creatinine in bulls. A positive correlation between before shipment and slaughter was detected for testosterone, IGF-1, creatinine, triglyceride, HDLC and globulin in steers, and TP, creatinine, HDLC and globulin in bulls.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2006

Thirty heads of proven bulls were used to identify the effects of mounting conditions (dummy cow vs. teaser bull) on semen characteristics in Hanwoo. Semen was collected from bulls daily two times with 1 h interval every $3{\sim}6$ days for 6 months. Bulls mounted dummy cow (BDC) had higher both the $1^{st}$ and the $2^{nd}$ sperm concentrations than in bulls mounted teaser bull (BTB), resulting in more total sperm number (p<0.05). The total sperm number in the $1^{st}$ collection was the highest in BDC with collection interval of 5 days. Total sperm number in the $1^{st}\;and\;2^{nd}$ collections tended to be more in the BDC of $4{\sim}5$ years old and BTB of $6{\sim}7$ years old. These results indicate that semen collection using dummy cow has a better effect than teaser bull on semen characteristics.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.141-144
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• 2005

This experiment was to investigate whether the mitochondria function assessment can be used for the prediction of sperm fertility through examining the correlation between mitochondria fluoromicroscopic frequency of frozen-thawed eight Hanwoo bull semen using rhodamine123 (R123) and in vitro embryo development following fertilization. Individual sperm were stained in 5 ${\mu}g/mL$ R123-added calcium-free Sp-TALP for 30 min at 0 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after thawing and examined their mid-piece under an epifluorescence microscope using 495 nm excitation filter (x1,000). Three replications were taken, and at least 300 sperm per individual were examined. When semen samples were separated into two groups (good and poor) by sperm motility and fluorescent frequencies at just after thawing, average fluorescent frequencies were remarkably reduced as time going (0 h; $53.29{\~}72.94\%$, 6 h; $21.40{\~}58.90\%$, 12 h; $8.26{\~}25.93\%$, 24 h; $1.00{\~}13.78\%$, irrespective of selected group, and there were no differences at 6 h or 12 h after thawing between selected groups but indicated significant difference at 24 h after thawing (p<0.05). In vitro fertilization rates in good and poor groups ranging $70.8{\~}77.8\%$ and $52.1{\~}84.5\%$, respectively, were not significantly different. However, in vitro development rates of the same groups ranging $25.7{\~}40.0\%$ and $12.9{\~}1.8\%$, respectively, were significant different (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that mitochondria fluoromicroscopic assessment of frozen-thawed bovine sperm may be used as a criterion to select more fertile sperm.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.269-273
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• 2012

The present study was to assess the in vitro viability and sexing rate of bovine embryos. Blastocysts were harvested on day 7~9 day after insemination(in vitro and in vivo), and the sex of the embryos was examined using the LAMP method. Embryo cell biopsy was carried out in a $80{\mu}l$ drop $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$ free D-PBS and, biopsied embryos viability were evaluated after more 12 h culture in IVMD culture medium. The formation of recovered embryo to expanded and hatching stages had ensued in higher of sexed embryo in vivo than in vitro (100% vs. 89%, p<0.05), and in vitro, the rates of degeneration after sexing were significantly (p<0.05) higher in vitro than in vivo(11% vs. 0.0%). The rates of the predicted sex were female 61% vs. 56%, and male 39% vs. 44% in vivo and in vitro, respectively. The rates of survival following different biopsy methods were seen between punching and bisection method in vivo and in vitro (100% vs. 89% and 100% vs, 78% respectively). Biopsy method by punching was significantly (p<0.05) higher than bisection between produced embryos in vivo and in vitro. The present data indicate that with microblade after punching for embryo sexing results in high incidence of survivability on development after embryo biopsy. It is also suggested that LAMP-based embryo sexing suitable for field applications.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.189-193
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• 2010

We investigated the cleavage rate and blastocyst yield for each culture condition to enhance tolerance of cryo-preservation of bovine IVF embryo with relatively lower cryo-tolerance compared to in vivo embryo. The cleavage rate and blastocysts yield for CR1aa, IVMD, IVD, CR1aa+10% FBS were 73.2, 69.3, 72.8, 68.5% and 44.1, 30.8, 33.3, 48.0%, respectively. The values did not differ among each treatments without serum. For embryo vitrification, In vivo and In vitro blastocysts were exposed to VS1(10% glycerin, 0.1 M glucose, 0.1 M sucrose, PEG 1%) for 5 min, and VS2 (10% glycerin, 10% EG, 0.2 M glucose, 0.2 M sucrose, PEG 2%) for 5 min and then VS3 (10% glycerin, 30% EG, 0.3 M glucose, 0.3 M sucrose, PEG 3%) for 1 min. The exposed embryos were then loaded into the 0.25 ml plastic straws and then plunged into liquid nitrogen. The straws were held for period of 1 to 2 weeks before thawing. In embryo viability, no differences in blastocyst re-expansion rates were found between in vivo and in vitro embryos. whereas expansion-BL rates was significantly higher for in vivo-derived embryos (72.7%) when compared to in vitro-derived embryos (51.4%), respectively (P<0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that combined use of CRIaa culture medium with vitrification might enhance tolerance of cryopreservation for bovine IVF embryo production.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparison of viability of bovine blastocysts following glass micropipette (GMP) vitrification and the possibility of production of Korean Native Cow ("Hanwoo,"Bos taurus coreanae) following embryo transfer into Mongolia cows (Bos taurus mongolian). The embryos of Korean Native Cow were produced by IVMFC or superovulation methods in Korea, cryopreserved by GMP vitrification, and subsequently trans-ported to Mongolia. The recipient cows were synchronized using a CIDR plus and prostaglandin $F_2\alpha$($PGF_2\alpha$) treatment. To produce in vivo embryos, seven cows were superovulated using FSH and PGF$_2$／sub $\alpha$／ treatment. A total of 64 blastocysts ( $9.1\pm2.94$ per cow) were collected. In vitro embryos were produced using a defined culture system which cleaved in 80.1％ ova (174／217), and developed to blastocyst stage embryos of 40.8％ (71／174). The post-thaw survival rate of in vivo blastocysts (93.7％; 45／48) was significantly higher than that of in vitro blastocysts (82.5％; 52／63, P＜0.05). Embryo transfer was carried out using 8 Mongolian recipient cows and 2 post-thaw blastocysts per recipient. Five of 8 recipients were found pregnant at Day 60 but one abortion occurred by Day 240. Two of offspring were produced from the Mongolian cows at 275 days after embryo transfer. These results indicated that a GMP vitrification method could be used as a cryopreservation technique for in vivo or in vitro bovine blastocysts and produced effectively a Korean Native Cow following embryo transfer into a Mongolian recipient cow.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2014

This study was carried out to establish the system of OPU derived embryo production, management of recipients as well as offspring production. OPU derived embryo production system was carried out of aspiration of immature oocytes 2 times per week, total 24 times for 3 months by an ultrasonographic guided follicular aspiration system and then produced in vitro-produced blastocysts by in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture system. This work was collected total 13,866 oocytes, average $8.2{\pm}4.5$ oocytes per session and 8,170 G1 + G2 grade oocytes, average 4.8 oocytes per session by 1,692 times session of total 71 donors for 4 years from 2010 to 2013. The rate of cleavage and blastocyst developmental competence were obtained 11,825 (85.3%) and 5,032 (36.3%) that was $7.0{\pm}3.8$ cleaved embryos and $3.0{\pm}2.5$ blastocysts per session. OPU derived embryo transfer were taken place in 2, 4, 6 and 7 local governments at 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 for 4 years and pregnancy rate were obtained 41.2, 43.9, 46.5 and 49.7% in each years. It means that pregnancy rate was continuously improved according of every year for 4 years. Pregnancy rate was significantly different according to individual local government in which was 62.7% in B, but 24.2% in F at 2012. Paternity identification was carried out total 26 offspring in C local government of 2012 and then confirmed 100% agreement of its analysis. In conclusion, the results obtained the possibility of mass production of elite cow embryos as well as offspring by OPU derived embryo production system, of which could be decreased the required time of genetic improvement.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2008

The present study investigated the efficient methods to produce in vitro Hanwoo embryos, and to improve the pregnancy rate. The developmental rate, total cell number and ICM ratio of in vitro embryos were compared amongst different culture media. Comparisons were also made on the status of recipients, pregnancy rate along with day of transfer after the estrus. Development of embryos into blastocyst stage in IVMD101 supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) group was significantly higher (34.2%) than that of TCM-199 supplemented with 5% FBS (26.8%) and IVMD101 without FBS (25.9%) (p<0.05). The development rate to blastocyst stage was significantly faster in IVMD101(5% FBS) than that of other groups ($0.2{\sim}2.3%$) (p<0.05). The average number of inner cell mass and trophectoderm were similar among treatment groups, which were $36.0{\sim}44.7$ and $83.3{\sim}106.7$. However, total cell number in IVMD101(5% FBS and 0% FBS) was significantly higher than that of TCM199(5% FBS). There were no differences in the pregnancy rate among treatment groups (32.0%, 33.9% and 28.6%, respectively). However, the pregnancy rate of Day 6 embryos cultured in IVMD101(5% FBS) was significantly (p<0.01) higher than IVMD101 without FBS and TCM-199 + 5% FBS (38.0% vs. 17.2% and 32.4%, respectively). No significant difference was observed for the pregnancy rate between heifer and cow transferred with Day 6 embryos cultured in IVMD 101(5% FBS) (42.7% and 39.3%, respectively). However, there was a significant difference of pregnancy rate (p<0.05) in heifer between one and two embryos transferred (31.4% and 41.9%). There was no difference of pregnancy rate among transfer days after estrus between heifer and cow, but the pregnancy rate of transfer to heifer with day 6 after estrus was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of day 7 and 8 (22.2% vs. 49.0% and 38.7% respectively). Based on the above findings, there is a possibility to produce in vitro produced embryos cultured in IVMD101(5% FBS) showed higher blastocyst rate and the increased cell number. In terms of the pregnancy rate of in vitro produced embryos, the highest pregnancy rate was observed when two embryos were cultured in IVMD101(5% FBS) and transferred.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.283-289
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• 1996

This study was carried out to determine the sex of genomic and embryonic DNA using polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Bovine specific(216bp) and Y chromosome speicific DNA primers(l4lbp) were synthesized and tested for sexing. Bovine embryos used in this study were produced by in vitro fertilization. Few blastomeres for PCR were bisected by nicromanipulator and demi -embryos were cultured in TCM 199 medium containing 0.1% of solcoseryl. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Average optical density of genomic DNA extracted from blood of Hanwoo was 1.79$\pm$ 0.14. 2. 2. The ratio of the demi-embryos developed to blastocyst was 62.1 and 81.9% in morula and blastocyst, respectively. 3. When DNA of 2~4, 5~10 and more than 11 blastomeres was amplified with Y chromosome specific DNA primer by PCR, appreance rate of Y specific DNA band was 16.7, 46.2 and 40.0%, respectively. At least 5 to 10 blastomeres were required to determine the sex of embryos. 4. The rate of demi-embryos developed to blastocyst was 73.3% in TCM 199 medium supplemented with 0.1% solcoceryl. but 55.6% in control.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of hormones, protein sources and anti-oxidants on in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization(IVF) of bovine follicular oocytes. The rates of Holstein follicular oocytes classified as grade A and B(50.2% and 33.2%) were higher than those of Hanwoo cattle(40.3% and 32.0%, P<0.05). The cumulus cell expansion rates of oocytes cultured in TCM-199 and Ham's F-10 medium supplemented with 10% FCS and hormones were higher (81.9~87.6%) than those of non-treated groups (74.5~81.7%). The fertilization rates of oocytes cultured in TCM-199 and Ham's F-10 medim supplemented with 10% FCS, 1% BSA and 10% bFF was 53.8~55.0%, 51.4~52.6%, and 47.0~50.0%, respectively. The polyspermy rates was 13.6~14.2%, 10.0~11.1%, and 10.0%, respectively. When the oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 and Ham's F-10 medium with 50${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ $\alpha$-tocopherol, the fertilization rates was 62.0 and 60.2%, respectively. In the maturation medium added of 100${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ cysteamine, the fertilization rates was 64.7 and 66.7%, respectively. The fertilization and polyspermy rates of treated groups were higher than those of non-treated group. The results show that hormones, protein sources and anti-oxidants can provide a benefit for in vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine follicular oocytes.